I'm Attempting to Write a Young Adult Novel

Garp

Garp

Well-Known Member
Feb 20, 2017
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Am I already dead?

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It's a sci-fi novel and the protagonist is a 15 year-old girl, because that's what the premise calls for. I feel like I'm crazy to even try this. I don't want to talk too much about the story because I'm not even half-way through the rough draft, and the outline is very fluid. It's not a wholly original idea (such a thing may be impossible), but I think I'm putting enough spin on it to make it viable.

Typical YA clichés I'm trying to avoid:

  • A love triangle
  • You are the Chosen One!
  • Post apocalyptic dystopia in which everyone is separated into distinct political factions
  • Sex scenes (holy s***, that would be creepy to write)
  • Abusive/alcoholic parents

This is uncharted territory for me. I'm scared guys.
 
You have to make sure you put the word "titties" in there. It can't be a YA novel without that.

It's awesome that you're doing this. It's a tremendous undertaking, I know from experience. I've started countless screenplays. It's extremely difficult to finish them.
 
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Plainview said:
You have to make sure you put the word "titties" in there. It can't be a YA novel without that.

It's awesome that you're doing this. It's a tremendous undertaking, I know from experience. I've started countless screenplays. It's extremely difficult to finish them.
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Thanks for the encouragement!

Yeah, I've also started a few unfinished screenplays and novels. This time I'm forcing myself to at least complete a rough draft. That means writing 500 words a day or more, no exceptions, even if it's crap (and most of it is right now), until I reach 65,000. I could be totally exhausted after work but I better get those words done.

Then I'll at least have a finished manuscript I can work with for subsequent drafts.
 
Sounds cool, good luck to you.

Out of curiosity, what made you want to do this? The idea for your story just popped into your head and you thought it was too good to pass up?
 
Z A C K said:
Sounds cool, good luck to you.

Out of curiosity, what made you want to do this? The idea for your story just popped into your head and you thought it was too good to pass up?
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That's basically it. Once in a while a concept pops into my head that I think has killer potential for a story. Then I realize while the concept is cool, making a story out of it with powerful plot points and characterization would be a bitch.

This time I think it will work. Even if it doesn't, I'm going to kill myself trying.:bang:
 
This is how Stephen King felt when he wrote Carrie. He finished it and threw the manuscript in the trash.

His wife found it and made him submit it to a publisher.
 
Good luck, Garp. I've always had a fantasy of being a writer, but I've gradually realized it is more of an idealized view of who I am than realistic. Fact is, I'm too lazy to write a book. Hell, I'm too lazy to finish this p
 
Videodrome said:
This is how Stephen King felt when he wrote Carrie. He finished it and threw the manuscript in the trash.

His wife found it and made him submit it to a publisher.
Click to expand...

That's awesome. I'm a huge fan of King. Hearing about his writing process always fascinates me (loved his book about it).

Enjoy his work or not, you can't deny his skill.
 
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